Unexpected transfer to CSKA. The soccer club “signed” a new horse

Last week, the CSKA soccer club arrived: the Army Men “signed” a newcomer and published a traditional video presentation on their YouTube channel. Only the long-awaited transfer did not live up to the expectations of the Red-Blue fans. This time the newcomer turned out to be a horse not only in the figurative sense. Instead of a forward or a defender, a new mascot joined CSKA. As in the case of a real transfer, the horse was given a tour of the home stadium, after which a contract was signed in a festive atmosphere. The newly minted Armey got acquainted with his teammates, took part in training and gave his first interview to CSKA TV. We tell you how the newcomer was received at the club and why not all fans appreciated the joke.

How did you shoot the video presentation?

The CSKA press service approached the introduction of the new team mascot more than responsibly. They made an official video for the horse, with all the associated attributes, and the filming was attended by club general director Roman Babaev, head coach Viktor Goncharenko and Igor Akinfeev, a legend not only of the Army Men, but also of the Russian national team.

In the video, CSKA’s newcomer is shown the club’s trophies, and then signed a contract and solemnly handed a uniform jersey with the number 1911 – it was in 1911 that the history of the Central Sport Club of the Army (then – OLLS) began. Gendir so speaks about the new “player”:

Very happy with this transfer. I believe that our club has become stronger. The selection service had him for quite a long time, we know all his strong qualities… What is important, he is not only a horse in body, but also in soul.

After the completion of legal formalities – the traditional photo session on the field and the first meeting with teammates. CSKA head coach Viktor Goncharenko introduced the new CSKA player.

Now we can be sure that if we can’t outplay someone, then we’ll be trampled.

Later, a backstage video appeared on the CSKA channel, showing exactly how the filming took place. It turned out that even simple actions in the mascot costume are not easy to perform: the big head overweighs and limits the view, the ball is not chiseled in the “oversize” cleats, and in general it is very hot in such equipment. But, of course, the man in the horse suit did not stop such difficulties.

Behind the mask is Yaroslav Antonov – “a horse not in body, but in soul”. 18-year-old Yaroslav is a student and athlete. He studies at the Russian State Social University at the Faculty of Physical Education, is fond of biathlon and cycling. And now, in his free time from training and classes, he also supports the CSKA team spirit.

Why was the horse chosen as CSKA’s mascot?

Although today the image of a horse is firmly associated with the Moscow soccer club, this was not always the case. The horse became the official symbol of the team only in 2008, when the fashion for mascots came to the country. CSKA became the first soccer team in Russia to acquire a mascot.

Before the “redesign” the horse of the Red-Blue looked somewhat different.

The mascot’s head was more like a toy, and the costume itself was less voluminous – there was no special lining. Also, the new version of the horse has no tail – probably, it gets in the way in the game, but there was a white-toothed smile (although you can’t look a gift horse in the teeth).

It is not known for sure why the mascot of the club became a horse. According to one version, there used to be stables of the Moscow Hippodrome on Peschanaya Street, where CSKA’s home stadium is located. According to another version, the origin of the mascot is connected with the fact that in the times of the Soviet Union the club was based on the site of the General Military Training of Workers, which had horses. The third version sounds quite different: allegedly the nickname “horses” and, accordingly, the mascot originate from the First Cavalry Army of the Soviet commander Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny.

Why didn’t the fans appreciate CSKA’s joke?

Not all the fans liked CSKA’s creative move. The team is now fifth in the Russian league standings, two points behind Krasnodar and six points behind leader Zenit. In addition, CSKA has lost or drawn its last three matches in the tournament.

Fans are concerned about the roster situation. CSKA has one of the youngest squads in the league today, with some players from the main team barely 18 years old. Fans believe that the club should really think about strengthening. And jokes are unnecessary.

Former CSKA player Valeri Masalitin said this in an interview. In his opinion, the roster is still too young, and in this case we should either wait or strengthen.

We just have to wait for them to gain experience, and some of them may stay at the same stage of development. Reinforcement is necessary, competition is necessary.

However, among the Red-Blue fans there were still those who were able to treat the situation with humor.

Over the past year, CSKA’s press office has noticeably improved its creative approach to covering the club’s life. But it’s clear that not all fans are willing to forgive such non-seriousness and self-irony when things aren’t going well for the team. CSKA will probably have to hold off on the creativity for now.